Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff slips out of Arsenal's hands

Man Utd fail to lure Juan Fernando Quintero but Liverpool could still get Wesley Sneijder

NOT for the first time, Arsenal are dithering in the transfer market and it could cost them dear. The Metro reports that the Gunners have yet to make a move for Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff, much to the bewilderment of chairman Jean-Michel Aulas who's been waiting for his phone to ring.

As we reported earlier in the week, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is known to be a big fan of the 26-year-old French international but the Nutty Professor continues to keep his distance.

The Metro reports that when Aulas was asked by French sports channel beIN Sport if Wenger has been in touch to discuss a transfer, the chairman replied: "I don't know about any offers. I have never spoken with Arsenal."

Gourcuff moved to Lyon from Bordeaux in 2010 but hasn't reproduced his form of the past and stories emerged at the weekend that he could be offered to Arsenal in a "a cut-price deal". Lyon paid £20m for the former AC Milan playmaker but it's believed they would be willing to drop their asking price to half that amount.

Italian rag Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Manchester United have failed in their bid to lure Juan Fernando Quintero to Old Trafford. The 19-year-old Colombian midfielder has been in sparkling form for Pescara this season and that's prompted interest from the Premier League leaders.

But asked by Gazzetta dello Sport if he was tempted by the prospect of playing for United, the teenager declared: "United? No, I like Inter." Asked why, Quintero explained: "Because they have a lot of South Americans at the club. And I'm happy in Italy." Quintero is valued at £10m and it's believed that Inter could make a play for him within the next fortnight.

Talking of Inter, Liverpool may not be out of the running for Wesley Sneijder after Turkish outfit Galatasaray revealed that they "have hit a hitch" in their transfer negotiations with the Italian club.

According to Talksport, the Dutchman was set to be officially unveiled as a Galatasaray earlier in the week but there is now a financial problem that could scupper the deal and allow Liverpool to nip in for the 28-year-old midfielder. "There are no problems between us and him, there is an agreement," said Galatasaray director Bulent Tulun. "The problem is an economic one with Inter over £1.6m."

Finally, the race is on to sign Swansea marksman Danny Graham with Sunderland and Norwich both vying for the striker's hand. The BBC claims Sunderland have made "a formal bid" for the 27-year-old, while Sky Sports reports that the Canaries have tabled a bid of £5m.

Graham, who joined Swansea from Watford in 2011 in a £3.5m deal, has played second fiddle to Spanish ace Michu for much of this season and that's allegedly led to his seeking a fresh start. Sky claims that Newcastle, Reading and QPR are also interested in Graham and Swansea will likely bide their time in the hope of a bidding war erupting.